Chapter 59 : Investigation

"Cidolfus Wraith, Graeme, Giganto. With the big fighters down, Noche sweeps the arena!" Pandora yelled.

The arena soon turned into Noche's hunting ground. She slays down the rest of the fighters with ease. Seeing how strong she is, the last fighter throws away his weapon and admits defeat.

"And the winner of C block is... Noche!" Pandora yelled.

The crowd's cheers welcome another winner. Noche indifferently sheaths her sword and walks back to the fighters hall. At the entrance, Mr. K already waited for her. He looked at her with fretful eyes.

"I'm fine. It was just a stab of a little knife. I know healing magic, remember?" said Noche.

Mr. K looked away. "Hmph! To think that you would let yourself get stabbed," he sneered.

Noche chuckled. "At least I'm still more popular than you."

"Noche," called a fighter.

Noche looked back. Prince Barnabe walks towards her. His armor is wrecked. She can see his bloody head. Both Mr. K and Noche looked at him in anticipation.

"I'm thinking about what you said in the arena. I know as the third prince, I can't ascend to my father's throne. But even so, I'm still a prince of Barnabas," said Prince Barnabe.

"You're curious about the crimes that your nobles did," said Noche.

"That, and more. I'm considering your words about me not doing enough justice to my people," said Barnabe. "You're right. It was because of my lack that I failed to serve my people and that they need to hire you to put an end to their suffering. I should've managed the lords of my kingdom to help my people."

Noche sighed. She gave him a flash disk. "This is the detail of the nobles that I killed, and more."

Barnabe surprised.

"I investigated my victims first before I killed them. There are some things in there that might take your interest," said Noche.

Barnabe looked at her.

"I told you. I don't kill people with a clean slate," said Noche before she walks away with Mr. K.

Barnabe watches them as they go further. "Thank you," he mumbled.

Suddenly, Kaizo's communicator beeped.

"Kaizo, you're there? Is Axion there too?" Rum asked.

"I'm here. Wait for us at Cirque du Stellar. We'll be with you shortly," said Axion.

"Axion! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just wait at our base. I'll see you soon," Axion calmly answered. She cut off the communicator before Rum asks more.

As soon as she's changed, they go to Cirque du Stellar. Rum jumps and hugs Axion the moment she sees her.

"I'm so worried," said Rum.

Axion let out a sigh. "I'm fine, Rum. You should get used to this. Fighting and getting hurt is not a strange thing for space rangers."

Rum let go of her hug. Axion put her hand on Rum's shoulder. "Thanks for worrying about me. But have more faith in my strength. I won't be beaten so easily," she said with a smile.

"You're right," Rum replied.

"Man, that was one hell of a fight. Good job on winning," said Ramenman.

Axion chuckled. "Thanks."

"All that's left is battle on D block," said Lahap.

"You guys keep an eye on D block. I'm going to check on the black market with Al," said Axion.

"Right now? Wouldn't it better to rest a bit?" Ramenman asked.

"It's fine. Besides, Kaizo will be with me," said Axion.

"Kaizo will join you two?" Ramenman asked.

"Not exactly. Kaizo will secretly follow me from a distance. I'll leave my communicator on so Kaizo can hear my conversation," Axion explained.

"Maybe I should join you too," said Rum.

Axion shook her head. "It would be bad manners to Al if I suddenly invite an extra person on our trip."

"Alright. Just be careful down there. Call us if you need anything," said Ramenman.

"I know," Axion replied. She exchanges a nod with Kaizo.

"We'll be going then," said Kaizo.

Axion goes to the plaza while Kaizo follows her secretly. At the plaza, Albi is waiting.

"Hey, I hope I didn't make you wait too long," said Axion.

"Oh, not at all. I simply come earlier," said Albi. He offers his arm. "Shall we?"

Axion wraps her arm around Albi's arm. They walk towards the black market.

The black market is located underground in the slum area of Planet circus. People can access it through several entrances. The inside of the black market is like a maze. It's close to Planet Circus sewage system, so it's rather smelly.

Albi and Axion walk through the stone-paved road. Vendors filled the street here and there. Many different kinds of aliens bustling around for rare items.

"It's astounding how there's such a wide market in the underground," said Albi.

"What interests me more is that many different classes of aliens are down here," said Axion as she observed her surroundings. "Rich people, Nobles, and even royals come to visit."

"How would you know?"

"I saw some people with royalty bracelets sticking out from their cloaks," said Axion.

"The lady is very observant. I'm amazed," said Albi.

"Perks of being a lady. We need to be observant of little details. I can't have low-quality accessories ruining my skin," said Axion.

Albi smiled. "I shall keep that in mind and only provide you with high-quality items worthy of your beauty."

Axion chuckled.

Kaizo, who heard this through his communicator, rolled his eyes.